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Our take: Coaches offer life lessons

Updated:
11/24/2014 04:32:51 PM EST

Travis Gentzler of West Manchester Township submitted this photo to the Daily Record/Sunday News online Sports gallery. The photographer writes: 'West York Coach Ron Miller addresses his team and the student body after a come-from-behind victory against Dallastown!' (Submitted )

Editor's note: This editorial was originally published Dec. 11, 2012.

West York football coach Ron Miller has had a great deal of success in his tenure with the Bulldogs.

Wrapping up his seventh season, he has led his team to a District 3 championship and a runner-up finish. The Bulldogs have earned eight or nine regular-season wins every year since 2007 and have won the YAIAA Division II title six years in a row.

While Mr. Miller's on-field success is well documented, it might have overshadowed his broader impact on the community.

Take the photo above, submitted by reader Travis Gentzler.

High school coaches routinely gather their players on the field after a game for a quick speech before releasing them to the locker room.

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While that message to the players is important, that's not the noteworthy part of this case.

What's unusual is for so many fans to lean in to hear what the coach has to say.

Mr. Miller is surrounded by girls and boys - some wearing football jerseys, some wearing jeans and T-shirts - who all took a knee to learn from team's leader.

After West York's loss in the District 3 Class AAA championship game Nov. 30, Mr. Miller noted that he didn't have to deal with any academic problems with his team this season, and he never had a problem finding players willing to perform community service.

"That's the stuff that's important," the coach said.

Indeed. And he deserves credit for making sure his players understand that.

We also commend him for recognizing the soapbox that his on-field success has provided and using it to teach lessons on sportsmanship and character to anyone willing to take a knee for a few minutes after a football game.

Of course, Mr. Miller is by no means the only local sports authority who's looking at the bigger picture and making an impact outside his or her niche.

Red Lion High School football coach Pat Conrad jokes around with his quarterback, Tanner Klinefelter, during high school media day at the York Expo Center in August 2011. (York Daily Record/Sunday News file)

For example, many high school coaches are also teachers in their schools, reaching out to youths in the classroom as well as the practice field.

The crew of 44 players, three team managers and a few coaches helped sort donated items, cleaned debris from people's homes and delivered goods to hurricane victims.

"I thought it would be good for the kids to learn that there's a lot to be thankful for and there are people that are a lot more disadvantaged than we are," said Mr. Conrad - who, like Mr. Miller, is a teacher as well as a coach.

That's a lesson that has nothing to do with formations or play-calling or wins or losses.

It's a lesson that we all should take to heart, even if we're not athletes.